King's major success began in the 1960s when she and her first husband, Gerry Goffin, wrote more than two dozen chart hits, many of which have become standards, for numerous artists. She has continued writing for other artists since then. King's success as a performer in her own right did not come until the 1970s, when she sang her own songs, accompanying herself on the piano, in a series of albums and concerts. After experiencing commercial disappointment with her debut album Writer, King scored her breakthrough with the album Tapestry, which topped the U.S. album chart for 15 weeks in 1971 and remained on the charts for more than six years.
King has made 25 solo albums, the most successful being Tapestry, which held the record for most weeks at No. 1 by a female artist for more than 20 years. Her record sales were estimated at more than 75 million copies worldwide. She has won four Grammy Awards and was inducted into the Songwriters Hall of Fame. She has been inducted twice into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, as a performer and songwriter. She is the recipient of the 2013 Library of Congress Gershwin Prize for Popular Song, the first woman to be so honored. She is also a 2015 Kennedy Center Honoree.
Full Wikipedia article: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Carole_King
Studio albums
Writer (1970)
Tapestry (1971)
Music (1971)
Rhymes & Reasons (1972)
Fantasy (1973)
Wrap Around Joy (1974)
Thoroughbred (1976)
Simple Things (1977)
Welcome Home (1978)
Touch the Sky (1979)
Pearls: Songs of Goffin and King (1980)
One to One (1982)
Speeding Time (1983)
City Streets (1989)
Colour of Your Dreams (1993)
Love Makes the World (2001)
A Holiday Carole (2011)
Little Prince
Carole King Lyrics
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Using everybody at your beck and call
You could have it all
If you only knew who you really are
Little prince livin' in a fantasy
You're lonely, though illusion keeps you company
Take a look around
Or is it just too far from your reality
I know it can't be very easy
To be brought up treated royally
To have so-called friends all around
Who cater to you loyally
Don't it make you wonder
As you listen for the thunder
Little prince though you may deny it
There's something in the quiet
Of your deepest soul
That's an empty hole
Though I know you don't
Want to hear it
You will never find your spirit
Until you see and be
Who you really are
Little prince, oh, little prince
You know who you are
The lyrics to Carole King's song Little Prince focus on the titular character who lives in a dream world and uses everyone around him at his beck and call. Despite seeming to have everything he could want, the little prince is lonely and lives in an illusion that keeps him company. As the lyrics progress, King poses a series of existential questions to the little prince. She questions whether his "little town" even exists or if it is too far from his reality. She understands that it must be difficult to have been brought up treated royally, with so-called friends surrounding the little prince who cater to him loyally. King wonders if the little prince ever pauses to consider his station in life, listening for something more in the quiet of his soul.
The chorus of the song repeats that the little prince will never find his spirit until he sees and becomes who he really is. King is encouraging the little prince to look beyond his illusions and search for meaning and authenticity in his life. She believes that there is an empty hole in the deepest part of his soul that will remain unfilled until he embraces his true self. Though the little prince may deny it or be resistant to the message, King emphasizes that he knows who he really is.
Overall, King's lyrics to Little Prince are contemplative and introspective. They raise questions about identity, authenticity, and meaning that continue to resonate with listeners today.
Line by Line Meaning
Little prince livin' in a dream world
You are too occupied with your false reality.
Using everybody at your beck and call
You are taking advantage of others for your benefit.
You could have it all
You have the potential for greatness.
If you only knew who you really are
You need to discover your true self to become successful.
Little prince livin' in a fantasy
You are living in an imaginary world.
You're lonely, though illusion keeps you company
Even though you are surrounded by your illusions, you feel lonely.
Take a look around
Observe your surroundings.
Does your little town exist
Is your town real or just a figment of your imagination?
Or is it just too far from your reality
Your town is too distant from reality.
I know it can't be very easy
I understand that it is a difficult situation to be in.
To be brought up treated royally
Being raised with a sense of entitlement can be challenging.
To have so-called friends all around
Your friends may not have your best interest at heart.
Who cater to you loyally
Your friends serve you without question.
Don't it make you wonder
Don't you question your lifestyle sometimes?
As you listen for the thunder
As you wait for a sign of change.
Little prince though you may deny it
You may refuse to acknowledge the truth.
There's something in the quiet
You can find answers when you're alone.
Of your deepest soul
Within your true self.
That's an empty hole
You have an unfulfilled void within you.
Though I know you don't want to hear it
I know you are resistant to change.
You will never find your spirit
Without embracing your true self, you will not find true happiness.
Until you see and be
It is crucial for you to understand and accept who you truly are.
Who you really are
Your true self is waiting to be discovered.
Little prince, oh, little prince
You have potential to shine.
You know who you are
It's time to embrace your true self and become who you are meant to be.
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
Written by: CAROLE KING
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind